Should restaurants be required to post their health inspections on their front door?

Question

Don't you think it is your right to know ?

Answer 1

Definitely, I am not eating at some place with a "B" grade on their cleanliness.

Answer 2

YES THEY SHOULD!

Answer 3

In Toronto Canada, restaurants must post health inspection certificates outside where it can be seen.

Answer 4

ABSOLUTELY!

Answer 5

I live in the city that pioneered posting letter grades for restaurant inspections. It's a system that works pretty well at a glance. I think letter grades in the window are a FABULOUS thing.

However, people should take it upon themselves to look on their local health department website for any info on restaurant inspections. As many departments do, we keep a listing of scores with lists of code violations, and it is publicly accessible. It is also your right as a consumer to ask the manager for a copy of their most recent insepction report.

Bear in mind, a health rating is a snapshot in time. Just because the most recent score is a 95 doesn't mean it's worth a 95 today. You really have to hope for the best sometimes. I've seen some great kitchens, and I have seen some food-service atrocities.

So if you care about the hygiene in your restaurants, tell your local councilman to put money into your environmental health bureau. It's important to hire lots of qualified inspectors. Inspections are hard work. One inspection can take 3 or 4 hours to complete.